July 2009 Archives

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Unconventionally.

I've recently graduated with a NutriSci Physiology and Metabolism degree from Cal and found this blog to be a great opportunity to share the adventures and triumphs as an alumni. I had this freshman fantasy in which I'd announce to the world that I'd be going to a top medical school in the nation-after finding some type of cure for diabetes of course- and I'd invite every one I know to the white coat ceremony. (These daydreams tended to happen in Organic Chem lecture, at 8 am) But alas, sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned, or the way you plan them in your decaffeineted, sleep-deprived mind.

Among the many things I've learned at Cal, I've learned that it's acceptable to be unconventional. With that said, instead of having found a cure for diabetes (without a lack for trying, mind you!), I'm taking a year/year and a half "off", as I study for MCATs, and find ways to give back to my community while working locally to save up for a dream that's still very much embedded in my heart. And though I can't offer you a front row seat to my white coat ceremony (just yet!), what I can offer is a view in this transitional phase as a Cal alum, in an adventure that's frightening and exciting, and lessons that we can learn together at the same time. Not to mention the lessons I've learned while I was there such as to NOT take more than 2 labs per semester! So, I hope you stay tuned.

As of right now, I'm in the long process of signing paper work to finally start my position at UCLA's lab, and I'm so excited and grateful to have been given such a position.

For those of you looking for scientific or lab based jobs after graduation, or as an in-between job before any professional school, I've learned in my experience that it helps if you have lab experience: assays, administrative, the works! Your colorful experience in multiple lab settings is beneficial. One of the best ways to get research and lab work is to go to a professor that's done research in things your interested in, knock on their door, and politely ask to be free labor. Your enthusiasm about the material will set you apart. There are also multiple research program opportunities on campus such as URAP that you can take advantage of, so put yourself out there!

Like I said, for many of us, the adventure starts right now-whether it be looking for a job, applying to graduate/professional school, or even if you're just trying to figure out telebears as a freshman, I'm glad we're here together. I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to share with you the ups and downs of this post undergraduate life, and to hear your stories and lessons as well!

Aimmee Chin
posted July 22, 2009 5:16 PM

Feels Like Home


Tom and I enjoy traveling. Road trips are a little slice of heaven. Train rides and backpacking are even more delightful. There are places that we stayed along the way for a few brief months, days (or even hours) where we felt immediately at home and would love to return. A list of these...

Carnia, Italy


Cerbere, France


Vienna, Austria


Munich, Germany


Western Montana, USA




And I would love to have an opportunity to show Tom this place that feels like home:

Mo'orea, French Polynesia


We currently live in one of those places we stopped by for a brief visit and felt at home: Southwestern Ohio.

We are at a beautiful but lesser known Ohio public school: Miami University. Founded in 1809, our current school has a rich history and beautiful brick architecture.

Tom graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in English in 2002, and worked for the Miller Institute at UC Berkeley while I completed my BS in Genetics & Plant Biology. Now he's pursuing his MBA at Miami while I am working toward my MS in Botany. I love my work in Dr. John Kiss' Space Biology Lab where I am studying gravitropism and phototropism in Arabidopsis thaliana.

We would like to keep moving, keep traveling - it seems every time we get out there, we find a new place we could easily call home - a place of immediate comfort in a sea of foreign confusion. I hope we find many more places where we can feel so at home.

Images of the following locations are from the following websites:
Carnia - www.mobbing-sisu.com
Vienna - www.viennaaustria.co.uk
Miami University - www.admin.muohio.edu

All other images were taken by Tom Sullivan or Tina Johnson Sullivan

Christina
posted July 20, 2009 12:10 PM